All About BCRS

Baseball Card Roadshows was founded nearly 15 years ago as an alternative to card shows, card shops, and online purchases. Gary Leavitt has been a collector of all sports cards for over 40 years. Growing up in Northern California watching the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants while opening packs of cards was a daily ritual. Gary created a service to fill the void in the industry. Many are afraid to go to a card show or shop with their cards, so he made the process easy. He would set up appraisal and educational meetings in conference rooms in the cities he traveled to for his “real” career in the fraud and investigation fields.

As a Certified Fraud Examiner, money laundering expert, and former auditor; Gary’s expertise and character have led to thousands of referrals and consultations. Consistent calls as an expert witness for various collectable valuations, estate preparations, disposition advice, and even work for seized items from the DEA and other governmental agencies have made him a leader in the industry.

Known for assisting with some of the larger “finds” across the country, Gary’s passion for cards is amplified as it has never been his source of income; only adding to his collection and assisting others along the way.

With a strict eye for grading and a no-nonsense approach to clients who just want to know “the truth” about what they have; Gary will quickly give you a handful of options which includes consignment, grading, selling, auction, or just taking back home and putting them back in the closet where they’ve been for 50+ years.

Since the industry has become so commercialized with multiple moving parts, Gary is adamant when he helps someone that they: 1) learn what they have, 2) take some sort of action to protect the collection, and 3) create a quick blueprint on what comes next. Like any asset, proper planning now protects the integrity, value, and disposition of the collection when that day comes.

As always, Gary never charges for these consultations. A simple phone call will give a high-level indication of what is being dealt with and many times, the information can be relayed over phone with text photos of the cards. In some situations, a Zoom call will work just as well. Of course, seeing the cards in person is always the best choice and hearing the stories of where they were opened is always a favorite.

Private meetings, anonymity, and respectful feedback is why Gary continues to help others along his collecting journey. We look forward to talking to you soon.

Factors That Influence Baseball Card Values

Understanding baseball card values can be tricky. At Baseball Card Roadshows, we simplify the process with expert appraisals and transparent grading.

Condition – Cards with sharp corners, clean surfaces, strong centering, and minimal wear consistently achieve higher grades, significantly boosting overall baseball card values.

Rarity – Scarce print runs, misprints, or error cards are harder to find, creating strong demand and driving premium pricing among dedicated collectors.

Player Popularity – Legendary icons and modern stars like Mickey Mantle or Mike Trout dramatically influence the value of baseball cards in US.

Grading – Professionally sports cards graded by trusted authorities enhance buyer confidence, ensuring cards achieve higher market value compared to raw, ungraded versions.

The Role of the PSA Grading Scale

This is the industry standard for card evaluation. It runs from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Gem Mint). Here’s a breakdown:

PSA 10 Gem Mint – Cards graded Gem Mint 10 are flawless, showcasing sharp corners, perfect centering, and pristine surfaces highly desired by serious collectors.
PSA 9 Mint – Mint 9 cards remain nearly perfect, displaying only the tiniest handling flaws or centering issues, still commanding strong value in the marketplace.
PSA 7-8 Near Mint – Near Mint cards are solid quality, with slight edge wear or centering flaws, appealing to collectors seeking balanced value and condition.
PSA 1-6 Good to Excellent – Cards in this range show noticeable imperfections but remain collectible, especially if they feature legendary players or rare editions.